Mineola community development director serving last day Friday

Holly Herring has submitted her resignation as the community development director of the city of Mineola, effective Friday.

Herring’s letter of resignation to City Administrator Mercy Rushing announcing her resignation was dated Jan. 2. Herring plans to do data management work from home. “It was not an easy decision for me and my husband to make.” But, she stated, “I am excited for this new opportunity that will allow me to spend more time with Jason and our two little boys.”

Herring spoke with high regard of her time with the city, the projects with which she’s been involved, the volunteers, co-workers at city hall, mayors, city council “and the team at City Hall in helping grow the city of Mineola.”

“I love my time with the city; all the fun projects I’ve been involved with,” Herring said. “I am going to miss seeing them every day,” she said.

Herring joined the city staff in August of 2016. She came to Mineola after working for RPS group in Houston as a human resource specialist. She had recently returned from maternity leave. Since coming to Mineola, Herring’s husband Jason, has opened Cowburners barbecue restaurant on Johnson Street in Mineola after extensive renovation of the location.

Rushing said she will take over the Community Development Department, running Main Street, the Landmark Commission, Museum and Marketing / Tourism Boards until she hires someone else for the position. Rushing is the city’s former community development director.

“In the meantime I will be talking to all the board members and reassessing our programs and projects,” Rushing said, to get input on the type of director for which the city is looking. She plans to take her time, “Unless someone great just happens to come along right away that I believe would be a good fit for the job. Until then, I will be relying on board chairmen and board members to work with me closely and keep the different board projects and programs on the right course.”

“I just want to let the public know that we will continue to run business as usual,” the city administrator said.

“They will just need to call me instead for Main Street, historic preservation, and marketing/tourism information.” Rushing said she will have a lot of help with the boards and support from the staff who work at city hall.